Track tamping machine



f. PLASSER ET AL Dec. l2, 1967 TRACK TAMPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Feb. 17, ,1965

INVENTORS. Femm @L Assrf T056? Tl-eue Kwl/ KM Dec. 12, 1967 F. PLASSERET AL 3,357,366

TRACK TAMPING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.men/UL @Lnsse mf :s-ose -meu United States Patent O 3,357,366 TRACKTAMPING MACHINE Franz Plasser and Josef Theurer, both of .Iohannesgasse3, Vienna, Austria Filed Feb. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 528,277 Claimspriority, application Austria, Mar. 9, 1965, A 2,113/65; .lune 24, 1965,A 5,759/65 28 Claims. (Cl. 1414-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Tracktamping machine with groups of tamping tools spaced on the machine inthe direction of elongation of the track, each group of tamping toolsbeing designed to tamp a tie, and adjacent tamping tool groups beingspaced so closely together that the adjacent tools of adjacent groupsare immersed in the ballast betwen adjacent ties, and a common drive isprovided for the adjacent groups of tamping tools.

This is a continuation-in-part of our copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 441,229, filed Mar. 19, 1965.

Conventional track tamper comprise pairs of opposing tamping toolsarranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent the track ties, with eachtie positioned `between the opposing tools, and for reciprocation in thedirection of elongation of the track so as to tamp the ballastunderneath each tie upon reciprocation of the preferably vibratorytools. In one such type of track tamper, the tamping tools arevertically adjustably mounted on a carriage frame which moves along thetrack fo-r continuous tamping of one tie after another; According to ourapplication Ser. No. 441,229, two such pairs of opposing tamping toolsare mounted on the carriage frame and are so spaced l from each other inthe direction of elongation of the track that adjacent ones of the toolsof each pair are at a smaller distance from each other than the distancebetween adjacent ties whereby the adjacent tools may be immersed in theballast between adjacent ones of the ties while the other tools of eachpair immersed on the other side of the adjacent ties, thus doubling theeiiiciency of the tamping operation by simultaneously tamping two tiesand/or producing a better quality of tamping.

In such an arrangement, it is preferred to space one of the pairs oftools from the other pair of tools in the direction of elongation of theties so that the tamping t-ools of one pair are laterally off-set orstaggered in relation to the tools of the other pair.

It is a primary object of the present invention to simplify theconstruction of the track tamping assembly, to decrease the number ofoperating parts and so to coo-rdinate these parts as to make theassembly as compact as possible.

The above and other objects and advantages are accomplished inaccordance with this invention by constructing the track tampingassembly as a mechanical unit with a common drive for the pairs oftamping tools. More particularly, the common drive is a means, such as aVibratory shaft, for imparting vibration to the tamping tools all ofwhich are operatively connected to this single means.

A track tamping assembly constructed according to the invention requiresso little space that a vertically adjustable tamping tool carriertherefor may be vmounted in the conventional manner in a forward portionof the mobile track tamper carriage frame, which overhangs the tracksection to be tamped ahead of the front axle. Thus, the efficiency ofthe tamper is doubled with a single tamping tool carrier and a singletamping tool vibrating means.

The indicated objects of the invention may be accomplished with a greatvariety of structures and some pre- ICC ferred embodiments thereof willbe set forth in the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, to afford a better understanding of theinvention. In the drawing,

FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of one embodiment of a track tampingassembly, partly in section;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along section line II-II of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detail in the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the entire track tamper showing the mounting ofthe tamping tool carrier with the tamping assembly;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views of two other embodiments; and

FIG..7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but illus trating stillanother embodiment.

, As appears from a joint consideration of FIGS. 1 and 4, a tamping toolcarrier 5 ris slidably supported on posts 5a, 5a mounted in carriageframe 20 of a mobile track tamper moving on track 1 which rests on ties2. The illustrated machine may be used for grading and includes, as isconventional, a track lifting mechanism 20'. Vibratory shaft 11 issupported on the carrier with its axis parallel to the ties, this shaftbeing vibrated by rotation of an axle mounted eccentrically in a centralbore of the shaft, as is conventional. Arms 10, 10' extend from theVibratory shaft in diametrically opposite directions and are vibratedtherewith.

The track tamping assembly comprises two pairs of opposing tamping tools3, 4 and 3', 4', the pairs, as illustrated, being so spaced that thetools 4, 4' of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, are at asmaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacent ties2, 2. As is well known, a group or series of such pairs of tamping toolsmay be arranged on the carrier in the direction of elongation of theties for operation in unison, as shown in FIG. 2, only the outermostpair being seen in FIG. l because the other pairs are aligned therewithand, therefore, cannot be seen inthe elevational view.

As FIG. 2 indicates, it is preferred to stagger the pairs of opposingtamping tools laterally, i.e. in the direction of elongation of theties.

As is also conventional, the tamping tools are pivotal levers pivotallysecured intermediate their ends to fulcrurns provided in the tampingtool carrier. In the ernbodiment of FIG. 1, a iixed fulcrum 14, 14' ispivotally secured to each of the adjacent tamping tools 4, 4 of thepairs of tools, and the means for eifectuating the reciprocation of theadjacent tools consists of actuating devices 16, 17 and 16', 17' linkedrespectively to each of the upper ends 15, 15' of the adjacent tools 4,4 for moving the upper toolends in the direction of elongation of thetrack.

In the illustrated embodiments, all the actuating devices are hydraulicmotors consisting of a stationary part and a moving part, one part beingan hydraulic cylinder and the other part being a piston moving thereinunder hydraulic pressure supplied to the cylinder.

As shown, the stationary cylinders 17, 17' are linked to the outer endsof the Vibratory arms 10, 10', respectively, at pivots 18, 18', whilethe moving pistons 16, 16 are linked to the upper ends 15, 15 of tools4, 4', respectively, thus transmitting vibration of the Vibratory armsto the tamping tools via their actuating devices.

Fulcrums 6, 6 are mounted for adjustmentl in thel latter tamping toolsincludes a movable piston 12, 12' connected to a respective one of thefulcrum supports, both pistons gliding in stationary cylinders 13, 13mounted in an integral unit below vibratory shaft 11 and, as the latter,centrally of the pairs of tools.

Vibration is imparted to the tools 3, 3 by linking their upper ends atpivots 9, 9', respectively, to the vibratory arms` 10, 10'. In theabove-described arrangement,` the vibratory movement of each of theopposing tools of eachpair is effected in opposite directions, which isnovel and produces a particularly good compacting of the ballast betweenthe opposing vibratory tools.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification in the mounting of the upper ends ofthe other tamping tools of each pair, which makes it possible to varythe path of reciprocation of the opposing tools of each pair so that theassembly may be used, for instance, for tamping double ties, i.e. tiesof twice the width of the usual ties. For this purpose, the vibratoryarms 10, 10' have elongated guide means illustrated as slots 19 foradjustably mounting the pivots to which the upper ends 9,9 of thesetools are linked.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the common vibratory shaft 111 carriesdiametrically oppositely extending vibratamping tools 104, 104',respectively, in the direction of' elongation of the track, the piston116, 116 of each actuating device being linked at one end to arespective one of the tools at their upper ends 115, 115', and thecylinder 117, 117' of the actuating devices being linked at 123, 123' toa respective one of the other tools 103, 103' of the same pair of tools.A fixed fulcrum 114, 114' is pivotally secured to each of the adjacenttools 104, 104 intermediate its ends. In this manner, the vibration ofthe other tools 103, 103 is transmitted via the actuating devices forthe adjacent tools 104, 104' to the latter tools.

Additional fulcrums 106 and 106 are pivotally secured to each of theother tools intermediate its ends and are arranged for movement in thedirection of the track. A second set of actuating devices 121, 122 and121', 122' is arranged to move the additional fulcrums in the directionof elongation of the track and thus to reciprocate the other tools 103,103 in this direction.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, vibration of the other tools 203, 203 ofeach pair is etfectuated in the same manner as in FIG. 5 so that arepetition of the description of the structure and function of vibratoryshaft 211, vibratory arms 210, 210' and their Ilinkage to the tools atupper ends 209, 209' need not be repeated. In this embodiment, however,a single set of actuating devices 221, 222 and 221', 222' is providedfor moving selected ones of the tamping tools of each pair in thedirection of elongation of the track. In the illustrated embodiment, theselected tools are the other tamping tools 203, 203 whose movablefulcrums 206, 206' are connected to the pistons 222, 222' of theactuating devices while the hydraulic cylinders 221, 221' of theactuating devices are stationary. Each driven tamping tool of one pairis coupled to the adjacent tamping tool 204, 204'-of the other pair byfixed connecting rods 225, 225, these coupling means enabling theopposing tools of one pair to move in unison with the selected tools ofthe other pair. The upper ends of the adjacent tools 204, 204 are linkedto stationary brackets 224, 224'.

t The embodiment of FIG. 6 is particularly advantageous because of therelatively few structural parts required for driving the tamping tools.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the upper ends of all tamping tools arelinked to respective actuating devices, illustrated as hydraulic motors,which, in turn, are connected to the common vibratory shaft for all thetools,

.4 the actuating devices being designed for effectuating reciprocationof the tamping tools in the direction of elongation of the track. Thisstructure makes it possible to connect the vibratory arms of the shaftto the tamping tools in a particularly simple manner, in a minimum ofspace and by means of sturdy structural parts.

In FIG. 7, this embodiment is specifically illustrated as comprisingfixed fulcrums 306, 306 and 307, 307 to which the respective ones oftamping tools 303, 303 and 304, 304' are pivotally secured intermediatetheir ends, the tools being the conventional pivotal levers and thefulcrums being arranged on the vertically adjustable tamping toolcarrier 305 which supports the tamping assembly. The vibration impartingmeans for all `the tamping tools is the centrally positioned vibratoryshaft 311 to which are fixed a pair of angularly spaced arms 310, 310',each arm extending diametrically from the shaft at opposite sidesthereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms are perpendicular toeach other.

As shown, each actuating device 316, 317 and 316', 317' for the adjacenttamping tools 304, 304 is connected to one of the arms 310, 310' andeach actuating device 312, 313 and 312', 313 for the other tamping tools303,

303 of each pair of tools is connected to `one of the arms. Each arm hasconnected thereto an actuating device for one of the adjacent tools andan actuating dcvice for one of the other tools of each pair, so that theupper ends of an adjacent tool of one pair and of another tool of theother pair are coupled together via their respective actuating devicesand one of the vibratory arms.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable pistons 312, 312 of theactuating devices for the other tamping tools 303, 303 of each pair arelinked t0 the upper ends of these tamping tools at pivots 309, 309'while the stationary hydraulic cylinders of these actuating devicesarepivotally connected to the vibratory shaft arms at pivots 310, 310. Onthe other hand, the stationary hydraulic cylinders 317, 317' of theactuating devices for the adjacent vtools of each pair are iixedlyconnected to the vibratory shaft arms the movable pistons 316, 316' ofthese devices being linked to the upper ends of the adjacent tampingtools at pivots 31S, 315.

As indicated at 2', a so-called double tie may also be tamped with thisassembly and, for this purpose, adjustable stops are provided forlimiting the outward movement of the other tamping tools 303, 303' ofeach pair of tools during their reciprocation. The illustrated stops323, 323' are mounted for pivotal movement into and out of the path ofthe upper ends 309, 309 of tamping tools 303, 303', as indicated byarrows and the broken line position of stop 323. The stops are `arrangedto move into the horizontal path of movement of the movable upper ends309, 309 `between-these ends and the fixed cylinders 313, 313' of theactuating devices for these tools. The actuating devices for the stopsare also hydraulic motors. These actuating devices are carried by thestationary cylinders 313, 313', the illustrated arrangement includinglugs 318, 318' on the stationary cylinders to which the stationaryhydraulic cylinders 319, 319 are linked while the movable pistons 320,320' of these actuating devices are linked to the stops at pivots 321,321 so as to pivot the stops about fulcrums 322, 322'.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it willbe understood that many modifications and variations may occur to thoseskilled in the art, particularly after benefiting from the presentteaching, and

that all such obvious changes are within the spirit and scope of thisinvention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track (a) two pairs ofopposed tamping tools, said pairs of tools being spaced from each otherin the direction of elongation of the track, the spacing between saidpairs of tools being such that the tools of each pair, which areadjacent to each other, are at a smaller distance from each other thanthe distance between adjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacenttools may -be immersed in the ballast between said adjacent ties, theopposing tools of each pair being arranged for immersion in the ballastadjacent one of said ties, with the one tie positioned between theopposing tools, and for Ireciprocation in the direction of elongation ofthe track, and

(b) a common drive for said pairs of tamping tools.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising means for verticallyadjustably supporting the tamping assembly on the carriage frame.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein one of the pai-r of tools is spacedfrom the other pair of tools in the direction of elongation of the ties.

4. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including railssupported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, saidmachine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, saidpairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction ofelongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools beingsuch that the tools `of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, areat a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacentones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in theballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pairbeing arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties,with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and forreciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track, and

(b) a common drive for said pair of tamping tools, said common drivebeing a means for imparting vibration to the tamping tools.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein said vibration imparting means is avibratory shaft to which `all the tamping tools are operativelyconnected.

6. The machine of claim 5, further comprising means for effectuating thereciprocation of the tamping tools in the direction of elongation of thetrack, said reciprocation means including a separate -actuating devicefor each of the tools, each actuating device being connected at one endto the vibratory shaft and being linked at-the other end to a respectiveone of the upper ends of the tamping tools.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein each actuating device is an hydraulicmotor.

8. The machine of claim 6, comprising a pair of angularly spaced armslixed on the vibratory shaft, each arm extending diametrically from theshaft at opposite sides thereof, and each actuating device for the,adjacentytamping tools being connected to one of said arms and eachactuating device for the other tamping tools of each pair of tools beingconnected to one of the arms, each arm having connected thereto anactuating device for one of the adjacent tools land an actuating devicefor one of the other tools.

9. The machine of claim 6, wherein the actuating devices for the othertamping tools of each pair of tools are pivotally connected to thevibratory shaft.

10. The machine of claim 6, wherein the actuating devices for theadjacent tamping tools of each pair of tools are xedly connected to thevibratory shaft.

11. The machine of claim 6, further comprising fixed fulcrums pivotallysecured to said tamping tools intermediate their ends.

12. The machine of claim 11, further comprising a vertically adjustabletamping tool carrier supporting the tamping assembly, the xed fulcrumsbeing arranged on the carrier.

13. The machine of claim 6, further comprising adjustable stops forlimiting the outward movement of other tamping tools of each pair oftools during their reciprocation.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein said stops are mounted for movementinto and out of the path of movement of the upper ends of the othertamping tools of each pair of tools.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein said actuating devices include astationary part and a moving part, the stops being arranged for movementbetween the iixed parts of the actuating devices and the upper ends ofthe other tamping tools.

16. The machine of claim 15, further comprising actuating devices forsaid stops, the latter actuating devices being carried by the stationaryparts of the actuating devices for the other tamping tools.

17. The machine of claim 4, wherein -means is provided for elfectuatingthe reciprocation of the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools; thevibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positionedcentrally of said pairs of tools and two arms extending in oppositedirections from the shaft and being vibrated therewith upon vibration ofthe shaft; and the reciprocation means including an actuating device formoving the upper tool ends of the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools inthe direction of elongation of the track, a fixed fulcrum secured toeach of the adjacent tools intermediate its ends, the adjacent toolsbeing pivotal levers, and one end of each of the actuating devices beinglinked to a respective one of the upper ends of the adjacent tools andthe other end of each actuating device being linked to a respective oneof said arms.

18. The machine of claim 17, further comprising a ful- Crum mounted foradjustment in the direction of elongation of the track and pivotallysecured to each of the other ones of the tamping tools of each pairintermediate their ends.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the reciprocation means furtherincludes another actuating device for moving each of the last-namedfulcrums, said other actuating device comprising a movable partconnected to each of the latter fulcrums and a vcommon stationary pa-rtwherein the movable parts are mounted, the stationary part being mountedbelow the vibration imparting means and centrally of the pairs of tools.

20. The machine of claim 19, whereinV the upper ends of the othertampingtools of each pair are also linked to a respective one of said arms.

21. The machine of claim 2), further comprising guide means in said armsfor adjustably linking the upper ends of the other tamping toolsthereto.

22. The machine of claim 4, wherein means is pro# vided for eifectuatingthe reciprocation of the opposing tools lof each pair of tools; thevibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positionedcentrally of said pairs of tools and two-arms extending in oppositedirections from the shaft and being vibrated with the shaft uponvibration thereof, the upper ends of the other ones of the tamping toolsof each pair of tools being linked to a respective one of said armsintermediate the ends of the arms; and the reciprocation' meansincluding a first set of actuating devices for moving the adjacent onesof the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track, eachof said actuating devices having one end linked to an upper end of arespective one of said adjacent tools of each pair of tools and anotherend linked to an outer end of an opposite one of said arms, a fixedfulcrum 7 pivotally secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediateits ends, and another set of actuating devices for moving the othertools of the pairs of tools in the direction of elongation of the track,each of theactuating devices of the other set having a movable partlinked to a fulcrum intermediate thev ends of a respective one of theother tools of each pair of tools, and a common xed part mounted on thecarriage frame below the shaft, the movable parts being mounted in thecommon xed art.

p 23. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including railssupported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, saidmachine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, saidpairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction ofelongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools beingsuch that the toolstof eachpair, which are adjacent to each other, areat a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacentones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in theballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pairbeing arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties,with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and forreciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track,

(b) a `common drive for said pair of tamping tools, and

(c) means for effectuating the reciprocation of the adjacent ones of thepairs of tools, said adjacent tools being pivotal levers, a lxed fulcrumpivotally secured to each of the adjacent tools intermediate theirtends,and said reciprocation means consisting of an actuating device linked toeach of the upper ends of the adjacent tools for moving the upper toolends in the direction of elongation of the track.

24. The machine of claim 23, wherein the actuating devices are hydraulicmotors.

25. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including railssupported on a plurality of spaced ties resting'on the ballast, saidmachine comprising 1) a carriage frame; and

(2) -a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, vsaidpairs of tools being spaced from each other in the direction ofelongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools beingsuch that the tools of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, areat a smaller distance from each other than the dist-ance betweenadjacent ones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may beimmersed inthe ballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pairbeing arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties,with the one tie positionedbetween the opposing tools, and forreciprocation in the direction of elongation `of the track,

(b) a common drive for said pair of tamping tools, and (c) means foreiectuating the reciprocation of the opposing tools of each pair of`tools, the

Cil

reciprocation means comprising a first set of Iactuating devices formoving the adjacent ones of the pairs of tools in the direction ofelongation of the track,teach of said actuating devices having one endlinked to a respective one of the adjacent tools of each pair of toolsand another end linked to a respective one of the other tools of thesame pair of tools, a fixed fulcrum pivotally secured to each of theadjacent tools intermediate its ends and arranged for movement in thedirection of elongation of the track, and a second set of actuatingdevices for moving the additional fulcrums kin said direction.

26. `rThe machine of claim 25, wherein the common `drive is a means forimparting vibration to all the tamping tools of each pair of tools, thevibration imparting means including a vibratory shaft positionedcentrally of said pairs of tools and two arms extending in roppositedirections from the shaft and being vibrated therewith upon vibration ofthe shaft, the upper ends of the other ones of the tamping tools of eachpair of tools being linked to a respective one of said arms.

27. A machine for tamping ballast underneath a track including railssupported on a plurality of spaced ties resting on the ballast, saidmachine comprising (l) a carriage frame; and

(2) a track tamping assembly mounted on said frame,

the assembly including (a) two pairs of opposed tamping tools, saidpairs of tools kbeing spaced from `each other in the direction ofelongation of the track, the spacing between said pairs of tools beingsuch that the tools of each pair, which are adjacent to each other, areat a smaller distance from each other than the distance between adjacentones of said ties whereby said adjacent tools may be immersed in theballast between said adjacent ties, the opposing tools of each pairbeing arranged for immersion in the ballast adjacent one of said ties,with the one tie positioned between the opposing tools, and forreciprocation in the direction of elongation of the track, (b) a commondrive for said pair of tamping tools, and (c) means for efiectuating thereciprocation of the opposing -tools of each pair of tools, thereciprocation means comprising a single set of actuating devices formoving selected ones of the tamping tools of each pair in the directionof elongation of the track, and means coupling the tool opposing theselected one of the tools of one pair of the selected tool of the otherpair whereby the opposing tools of one pair move in unison with theselected tools of the other pair. 28. The machine of claim 27, whereinthe opposing tools are the adjacent tools and the selected tools are theother tools of each pair.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 42,734,463. 2/1956 Hursh et a1.1021-7

1. A MACHINE FOR TAMPING BALLAST UNDERNEATH A TRACK INCLUDING RAILSSUPPORTED ON A PLURALITY OF SPACED TIES RESTING ON THE BALLAST, SAIDMACHINE COMPRISING (1) A CARRIAGE FRAME; AND (2) A TRACK TAMPINGASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, THE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING (A) TWO PAIRS OFOPPOSED TAMPING TOOLS, SAID PAIRS OF TOOLS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHERIN THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION OF THE TRACK, THE SPACING BETWEEN SAIDPAIRS OF TOOLS BEING SUCH THAT THE TOOLS OF EACH PAIR, WHICH AREADJACENT TO EACH OTHER, ARE AT A SMALLER DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER THANTHE DISTANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT ONES OF SAID